I just bought 5 clown loaches.

[k2snowboards88]

They're about 2.5 inches long. I just bought them, and i think i've done all my research. But there might be somethign i've missed, so any tips you can give me would be great.


They're kind of odd though. I thought they were supposed to school, but they don't spend any time with each other so far. Maybe later they will.

Thanks


ps. nobody give me the "do you know how big clown loaches get" speech. its tired so give it a rest.

 

[digital_run]

There gonna be shy for awhile before they calm down and start to show-off for you. They are prone to ich so be wary about water conditions and stress. What size tank do you have for them? Congrats on the new fish.

 

[Lateral Line]

They are not schooling/shoaling fish. What they are is sociable. They like each others company, but will not always hang around together. As they settle down, I'm sure you'll see more interaction between them.

 

[laggo]

My clowns like to hide. Give them, if not already, some were to chill out.

 

[Sanj]

Er excuse me, but do you know how big these guys get???


It would probably be a good idea to give a half dose of white spot medication when intorducing clown loaches because they are so susceptible to it. Just keep an eye on them.

I have 5 too ...but white spot outbreak

 

[k2snowboards88]

Right now i have a 55 gallon tank. I'm aware of how big they can get. If they outgrow the tank, i'll buy them a new one. I don't beleive in being cruel to any animal.

They're really funny. They seem to consider every fish in the tank to be their friend. And for the most part, every fish in the tank considers the clowns to be thier friend too. The red fin shark even slept with them in the same cave. They tried to sleep next to the eel in his cave, but he kept kicking them out and chasing them around. It was pretty funny to wach them go into the eels cave only to see them come flying out followed by his head right after. It kind of looked like a warrior being chased out of a cave by a dragon.

Right now they have a few places to hid behind thick plants and a few caves I think it'll be good for them, because i basically decorated my tank with my eel in mind. I think they both like the same type of environment(sand, caves, lots of plants). Last night they all slept in the same cave huddled together.

 

[Fishy411]

a lot of people will tell u that they will grow too big which they will but they are slow growers. about 1" a year. Thats like 10 more years b4 u need to get them a new tank and by then u'll probly be out of the hobby or have a bigger tank. Good luck

 

[k2snowboards88]

I've heard they do grow very quickly to 6 inches and then very slowly to 12. I don't think i'll get out of the "hobby". I don't consider it a hobby for myself. For me its keeping a pet. And when i keep pets i take the best possible care of them. The depend on me for everything so i do my best to give it to them.

I'm glad that more people agree they take a long time to grow huge, because i'm sort of depending on it.